An unexpectant Charlotte Cross went to school like any normal day, but little did she know that by the time she had finished on Thursday afternoon she would be debuting in the Nutri-Grain IronWoman Series less than 24 hours later.

The 16-year-old young gun was surprised to learn when she was picked up from school today that she would be racing against the best IronWoman in the country this weekend. Cross was selected to replace BMD Northcliffe’s Olivia Corrin who withdrew due to injury a day out from the final weekend of the series.

“I pretty much found out when I got into the car,” an ecstatic but surprised Cross said.

“I’m super excited but also a little bit nervous.”

The Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park athlete will join teammates Brielle Cooper and Jayde Hardstaff on the line and said that coach Michael King told her to just embrace the experience and make the most of her opportunity.

“He (King) said to me ‘just have a go, do your best and enjoy the experience’,” Cross said.

“But it’s going to be so good getting to race alongside Brielle and Jayde.

“I train with them both everyday so to be able to race against them in the series will just be so exciting.”

Asked what she was most excited for, Cross said just to be racing was enough but that she wasn’t too keen at the thought of the 40-minute EnduroSurf to start off her Nutri-Grain IronWoman debut in round four.

“Getting the call up at the last minute, I’m probably not that excited for the EnduroSurf just because it’s such tough slog and long race, that I haven’t quite braced myself for yet,” Cross said.

The remaining three rounds of the Nutri-Grain IronMan and IronWoman Series will take place across 26-28 February with round four (26 Feb) LIVE on Channel 9GO! from 12pm-2pm nationally and rounds five and six LIVE on Channel 9 from 12pm-2pm nationally.

To read more on Charlotte Cross click here.

To see the full point score and current leader board for the Nutri-Grain IronMan and IronWoman  click here.

For further information about the Nutri-Grain Iron Series click here.

To see the full list of male and female competitors in the Nutri-Grain Iron Series click here.